FELICIAN UNIVERSITY master plan

Location: Rutherford, New Jersey
Client: Felician University

MKW + Associates was engaged by Felician University (formerly Fairleigh Dickinson University) to conduct an overall landscape and site analysis of their existing campus in Rutherford, NJ and develop a landscape master plan to guide the development of current and future site projects there. The firm commenced this study by visiting the 10.5 acre site and developing an existing conditions plan which indicated all buildings and site features and illustrated program uses, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, good or bad views interior to the site and the conditions of trees and plantings, pavements and other hardscape elements such as site furnishings and lighting. Existing site benefits such as a cohesive framework of canopy trees and existing site deficiencies such as a lack of screening in some areas were noted and presented to the client. The overall site was evaluated in terms of its accessibility as well.

MKW then developed an overall campus landscape master plan including designs for gathering spaces, sitting areas, and other places that accommodate the administrative, teaching and student populations. An overall greening of the campus was accomplished by transforming many areas of unnecessary or unusable pavements into softer, planted spaces. Despite the somewhat topographic nature of the campus, accessibility throughout was of paramount importance and ramps or inclined walks were planned to gently integrate with the surrounding landscape while accomplishing this goal. A design vocabulary of pavements, site furnishings and lighting was established to provide a cohesive design template for the university and replace its current assemblage of site elements. While the campus has a scale and character that is nicely integrated with its surrounding suburban context, a distinct identity for the institution was established in the landscape by providing plantings and signage at the campus’s main entrances.